BE 6703: Concrete Structure & Fabric

Concrete

• Concrete is a mixture of cement, water, and aggregate, binding together to form a monolithic whole.
• Basic materials required for concrete: cement, fine aggregate (sand), coarse aggregate (gravel or crushed stone), and water.
• Admixtures may be added to modify the properties of the concrete.
• Ready-mixed concrete is typically used for commercial and residential projects, while concrete for large projects is mixed on-site.
• Mix design involves determining the correct amounts of ingredients to achieve the required durability, strength, and other properties.
• Proper curing is essential for obtaining good concrete, with a curing period ranging from 3 to 14 days.
• Curing involves subjecting the concrete to favorable temperature and moisture conditions.

Cement

• Cement is the essential component of concrete, binding the aggregate together to form a hard, strong, and monolithic whole.
• Cement is manufactured by heating a mixture of clay and limestone to form a clinker, which is then ground into a fine grey powder.
• Cement reacts with water to form a hard, strong bond.
• Cement must be kept dry to prevent it from setting or hardening prematurely.

Aggregates

• Coarse aggregate provides bulk to the concrete mix and contributes to the final strength of the concrete.
• Fine aggregates fill the space between coarse aggregate particles, making the concrete denser and less porous.
• Aggregates are used to reduce cost, as they are easily available and cheaper than cement.

Building Elements Manufactured from Concrete

• Building elements manufactured from concrete include foundations, columns, walls, slabs, roofs, blocks, and other small building units.
• Concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension, requiring reinforcement with steel bars for structural elements.
• Reinforced concrete has several advantages, including higher strength, durability, and good thermal and noise insulation properties.

Metal

• Metal is widely used in the construction industry for structural and non-structural components.
• Examples of metal uses include trusses, beams, light frame structures, panels, grilles, stair balustrades, and window frames.

Bricks

• Common bricks are not designed for good finished appearance, regularity of size, shape, and high strength.
• Facing bricks are manufactured to provide a good finished appearance, with a higher cost and better appearance than common bricks.
• Engineering bricks are designed for strength and durability, with a higher cost and exceptional hardness.

Glass

• The primary raw materials used in glass manufacture are silica, soda, and lime.
• There are various types of glass used in construction for different purposes.

Natural Stones

• Natural stones are resistant to degradation, but can be damaged by certain chemicals.
• Factors to consider when selecting natural stones for a building include cost, strength, durability, hardness, grain, color, texture, and porosity.

Plastics

• Plastics are a group of synthetic materials extracted from petroleum or coal.
• There are two main groups of plastics: thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics.
• Thermoplastics can be repeatedly softened by heat and hardened by cooling, allowing for recycling and reuse.
• Thermosetting plastics cannot be reheated and reformed once they have been softened.
• Plastics are used in various construction applications, including sanitary equipment, piping, floor coverings, and ornamental items.